United confirmed the three-year contract, confirming Epson as
their official office equipment partner.

It is the latest in a succession of such deals as the Red Devils commercial
staff have pursued a policy of bringing in global partners to maximise the value
of the United brand.

''This partnership with help Manchester United stay at the top of English and
world football,'' said chief executive David Gill, who was at the announcement
along with Sir Alex Ferguson and his squad for the Premier
League encounter with Blackburn.

Rumours had circulated last week Epson were actually on the brink of buying
United, speculation Gill was happy to refute.

''Social media networks may make it easier to stay in touch with our fans but
they don't get it right all the time,'' he laughed.

The deal extends an association with sport by Epson that began in 1964 when
they provided the timing devices for the Tokyo Olympics.